Group 1: Industry Overview - The third quarter of 2023 saw a record number of registered investment advisor (RIA) deals, totaling 94, the highest since tracking began in 2019 [1][2] - Private equity-backed consolidators are the primary drivers of RIA M&A activity, indicating a growing trend in the industry [2] Group 2: Notable Acquisitions - Allworth Financial acquired Shorepoint Capital Partners, an RIA with $850 million in assets under management, expanding its presence in the Boston area [4][5] - Carson Group acquired Shilanski & Associates, a financial planning firm in Alaska managing approximately $436 million in assets [6][7]